Jobs in Hanoi

Introduction

Located on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam as well as the second largest city by population. As Vietnam’s major metropolitan and political center, its population is constantly growing with people from all over the country coming to settle down in the city. Although it is a chaotic and busy city, it is also teeming with culture, history, and character. With well-preserved colonial buildings, pagodas, and museum, the city is known to be one of the most ancient capitals in the world.

Infrastructure in the city is continuously being upgraded, with new roads and enhanced public transportation system. Improving economy and growing development has helped Hanoi to be one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Both Industrial production and the real estate market is experiencing rapid growth, in addition, the city’s economic structure has undergone an important shift as banking, finance, and tourism now play a significant role. The services and agricultural sectors provide a vast opportunity for locals and expats. Most expats looking for a job in Hanoi tend to choose English teaching or volunteering. 

Popular Areas in Hanoi

Hanoi is divided into several districts and the following are the most popular with expats. 

• Ba Dinh is the center of governance in Vietnam with Government offices, embassies, and consulates. It is home to many historic sites such as One Pillar Pagoda and Hanoi Flag Tower. Now, the district also has mid-range hotels, restaurants, and bars. Some of the best places to hang out around the district are Bar Betta, Old Hanoi Restaurant, Grill 62 Restaurant, and Giảng Café. Living in the district can be very cheap, although it might not be as nice for Western standard. 

• Tay Ho is a high-end area and an expat center. The district has a lot of westernized infrastructure and accommodation such as luxurious villas, western bars, gyms, stores, dining, and medical treatment. The district can be very expensive, especially in Xuan Dieu Street. For a more affordable option, the area around Lac Long Quand, Nghi Tam Road, and Au Co are perfect. A great place to go for drinks with friends is The Kneipe, which offer German food and beer. For good food, try Dalcheeni Hanoi, Kobala Restaurant, and Maison de Tet Décor.

• Hoan Kiem is also known as the Old Quarter. It is known as Hanoi’s business and tourism hub. The district can be very busy and crowded with tourists. It is surrounded by Western-style buildings, Buddhist temples, and Pagodas, as well as French villas. You can find a lot of cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and boutiques here. Highway4 Restaurants Hoan Kiem is one of the best in Hanoi, along with Green Tangerine and Café de Paris.

• Đống Đa is a lot quieter since it does not have many famous tourism destinations. The most popular attraction here is the Temple of Literature. It is a good neighbourhood full of Vietnamese accommodation and the prices are also more reasonable here. Expats mostly hang out in Koto Restaurant or San Ho Do Restaurant.

Weather and Climate in Hanoi

Hanoi enjoys a warm humid subtropical climate with a lot of rain in the summer and a cold winter. Spring starts in February with a little bit of rain and a cold temperature. Summer starts at the end of April, characterized by intense sunshine and heat wave. The average temperature during this season is 27.5 °C but it can feel even hotter. Summer usually ends in late August. Autumn runs from September to November and it is known to have the best weather with blue sky, sunshine, and calm wind. There are some flower species blooming during this season, making the city even more beautiful. Winter starts from December to January and it has a lot of cold days, with an average temperature of around 17 °C and the temperature can drop as low as 7 °C, the city is usually cloudy and foggy during this season. 

Getting Around in Hanoi

Noi Bai International Airport is the biggest airport in Vietnam in terms of total capacity. Consisting of two passenger terminals, the airport serves both domestic and international flights. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights to numerous cities in the country while Terminal 2 serves international flights to major cities in Europe and Asia. The most affordable option to get around the country by air is by flying with budget airlines such as Jetstar Pacific and VietJet Air.

A variety of transportation modes is available to get around Hanoi. Taxis can be hailed from the street or by phone and some of the most reliable taxi companies in the city are Taxi Cp, 52 Taxi, Hanoi Taxi, and Mai Linh Taxi. The starting fare costs between VND 10,000 to VND 12,000. Motorcycle taxis, known as Xe Om, is a quick and inexpensive way to get around. You can find motorcycle taxis in most parts of the city and there is no meter, so you would have to bargain and settle on a price, a journey within 2 kilometers generally costs around VND 20,000 to VND 30,000. 

Cyclo (similar to trishaw) is another affordable option. It is suitable for short distance trips and an hour’s ride should cost around VND 20,000. Buses are also available and the bus is colored red, white, and yellow. There are various routes within the city and the bus usually stops near famous attractions. The ticket costs around VND 5,000 to VND 10,000 depending on the route. Grab Motorbike, an online hailing service similar to Uber is an easy way to get around Hanoi.

Work Visas in Hanoi

Vietnam only permits companies to recruit foreigners if there are no local who can meet the job requirements. To work in Hanoi, you would need a visa and work permit. The procedures can be confusing at first as there are three kinds of visa available: tourist visa, business visa, and diplomatic and official visas. Once you obtain a visa, apply for a work permit and residential card. The legislation can change regularly, so it’s best to always check the procedures before applying.

Additional Information

1. Hanoi’s economy is growing rapidly. It is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. In line with Hanoi, Vietnam’s economy is also growing stronger with a projected growth of 6.6%.
2. The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong and 1 USD is equivalent to VND 23,297. Vietnam has had trouble with inflation in the past but the currency has stayed relatively strong in the last couple of years.
3. The local language is Vietnamese and English will be spoken at international and multinational companies. 
4. The working hours in Hanoi varies from 07.30am – 04.30pm or 08.00am – 05.30pm depending on the company. Some major public holidays are New Year’s Day, Saigon Liberation Day, International Labour Day, and Vietnam Traditional Lunar New Year.